'HURTS REALLY BAD'
Cop punches woman, 18, in the face and KNOCKS OUT her teeth during protest to pull down Columbus statue
A COP allegedly punched a woman in the face and knocked out her teeth during a protest to pull down a Christopher Columbus statue.
Video shared on social media shows the moment Miracle Boyd, 18, was apparently struck by an officer in on Friday.
7
7
In the video, a cop is seen approaching a teenage girl before he swings his fist at her and appears to make contact with her face.
Boyd was recording an argument she had with a cop when he allegedly hit her, reported.
"My tooth was knocked out," she told the outlet.
"I have lip abrasions in my mouth. My teeth hurt really bad."
A organized to help cover her medical expenses claims Boyd – who is an activist of anti-violence group GoodKids MadCity – had just spoken to a crowd of protesters at Grant Park when the confrontation occurred.
She has advocated for an end to "systemic police violence" and a "lack of neighborhood investment," according to the GoFundMe.
Some demonstrators had planned to pull down a statue of and lassoed it, but failed when police intervened, reported.
Boyd tried to "deescalate" the situation as the unidentified officer neared her before he allegedly knocked her phone and hit her, the GoFundMe claims.
7
7
7
7
Chicago police did not identify the officer to Injustice Watch.
Cops said that items including fireworks, frozen water bottles, and rocks were thrown at cops on Friday, reported.
As officers and demonstrators clashed, at least 18 cops were injured, and 12 people were arrested, the news station reported.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said several complaints have been filed against cops.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot released a statement in response to the incidents on Friday.
"Unfortunately, last night, a portion of the protesters turned violent," Lightfoot said.
She condemned people for throwing items at cops and the called the reported excessive force by police "unacceptable."
"I have spoken to the director of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, and she has assured me that @ChicagoCOPA stands ready to address these complaints and will ensure that each of these is dealt with and investigated," Lightfoot said.
She added: "It is my sincere hope that we can strike the right balance to ensure people can rightfully express themselves & their First Amendment rights, but do so in a way that does not put anyone’s physical safety at risk.
"That would be consistent with our long history of peaceful protest."
The clash came amid ongoing protests following the death of .
7
MOST READ IN NEWS
Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died on May 25 after cop was seen kneeling on his neck during an arrest in .
Video of the incident showed Floyd saying "I can't breathe" multiple times – but Chauvin did not move his knee.
Public outrage was sparked after the incident, and demonstrators across the nation have shown support for the movement as they call for an end to systemic racism.
Black Lives Matter mural in Chicago defaced and vandalized to read ‘All Lives Matter’
Topics